Interlocking ornamental railing



Dec. 10, 1963 N. HURET- ETAL INTERLOCKING ORNAMENTAL'RAILING Filed Jan. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS B. HURE T 8 NORMAN CARL W. HALL/WELL BY hm" E FIG. 2

A TTORNE Y Dec. 10, 1963 N. B. HURET ETAL INTERLOCKING ORNAMENTAL RAILING INVENTORS NORMAN B. HURET 8 Filed Jan. 29. 1960 QARL W. HALL/WELL A T TORNE Y United States Patent Ofilice illdflfid Patented Dec. 10, 1963 3,113,763 INTERLGEKWG GRNAMENTAL RAILHNG Norman E. Hurst, Wadsworth, and Carl W. Halliwell, West Salem, @hio, assign-ore to Locke Manufacturing Company, Lotti, Ohio, a corporation of @hio Filed Jan. 29, N69, Sea. No. 5,441 3 (Ziaims. (Cl. 256-59) This invention relates to the art of ornamental railings and in particular relates to a new and improved type of ornamental railing that is characterized by a mechanical interlock between certain of the component parts thereof.

In the art of ornamental railings, it has long been known that such ornamental railings are comprised in general of a plurality of newel posts, between which extend top and bottom rails, with spindles being positioned between the rails in parallelism with the newel posts and with caps and floor flanges being secured to the respective ends of the newel posts for mounting and decoration purposes.

Initially, such ornamental railings were normally made of wrought iron, although recent developments in the field have introduced aluminum or other equivalent extrusions as a substitute material.

A representative ornamental iron railing assembly is shown in the application of Edward I. Kusel and Robert Mankin, filed March 24, 1958, and being identified as Serial No. 723,265, now Patent Number 3,005,623.

In this copending application, as in all known prior art, an adaptor fitting is normally employed for the purpose of effectuating the connection between the posts and (1) the top rail and (2) the bottom rail. Additionally, bolts or rivets were conventionally employed to effectuate the connection between the ends of the spindles and the top and bottom rails.

While the devices of the prior art operate satistactorily in use, it has been found that the installation of the same can be greatly simplified and further that the overall aesthetic appearance thereof can be enhanced if certain portions of the assembly are made to mechanically interlock with each other without the need for any bolts or other fastening devices to be employed.

Additionally, it has been discovered that the ovenall rigidity of the unit can be increased by efEect-uating connection between the top rail and the cap that is normally associated with the newel posts. In this fashion, where the top rail is secured to the caps, removal or theft of the cap is precluded due to the fact that the cap is, in efiect, locked on the newel post by virtue of the spindles interlocking the top and bottom rails together.

It has been further discovered that if the newel post is formed in a difierent fashion than is conventional, that the use of the adaptor fittings can be completely eliri inated, with the top and bottom rails bein described for coaction with the speciflly formed newel post and cap to effectuate a connection which eliminates the adaptor fitting.

It has also been discovered that utilization of the above connection between component parts also permits extensive use of extruded parts in the manufacture of an ornamental railing assembly, with the result that an extremely rigid, yet aesthetic railing is produced at minimal cost.

Production of an improved railing assembly having the above desired features accordingly becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects of the invention becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away and illustrating the improved form of railing assembly.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are vertical sections taken on the lines '2-2 and 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

F iGURES 4 and 5 are horizontal sections taken on the lines 44 and 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between the top rail, cap and the newel post.

FIGURE 7 is a similar perspective view but showing the connection between the floor flange, the newel post, the bottom nail and a spindle unit.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGURE 1 thereof, the improved railing assembly, generally designated by the numeral ill, is shown including a pair of fioor flanges ll and 12 mounted on a floor surface F and receiving newel posts 13 and 14, with the newel posts 13 and 14 prefenably projecting vertically from the floor surface F as shown in FIGURE 1. The railing assembly also includes top and bottom rail members l5 and 16, with the top rail 15 being shown connected at its ends to cap members 17 and 1.8, while the lower rail 16 has its opposed ends connected to the newel posts 13 and 14, as will be described later.

Spindles d9 interconnect the top rail 15 and bottom rail l6 and are shown in substantial parallelism with each other.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 for a specific description of the floor flange ll, it shall first be noted that the same includes a base plate 2% that is shown in the preferred embodiment as being of octagonal outline in plane and including apertures 21, 21, that receive bolts 22, 22 (FIG- URE l) for the purpose of securing the flange ll with respect to the floor F. Extending upwardly from the face a are a plurality of newel supports 23, 23, with each newel support '23 being arranged at substantially 90 degrees to the adjacent support 23 and with all newel supports preferably being identical in configuration.

It will be seen from FIGURE 7, therefore, that each newel support 23 is U-shaped in cross sectional configuration so as to include opposed legs 2'4 and that are interconnected by a bottom leg 26, with the outer edges of the legs 24 and 25 tapering to the edge surface 2% of the plate 2i as clearly shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. It is to be understood that the flange support 12 is of identical configuration.

Referring next to FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7 for a consideration of the newel post 13, it will be seen that the same is generally stellate in cross sectional configuration so as to define a series of radiating legs 3 1i, each of which is disposed at 90 degrees with respect to the adjacent leg section and each of which includes bifurcated leg sections 31 and 32 at the projecting end portions thereof.

In this fashion, the walls 24- and 25 of floor flange ll will fit between the legs 31 and 32 of any adjacent radiating leg sections Eli, 3b, as shown in FIGURE 7, and additionally, the base portion 26 of flange ll may be seated against the V-shaped incline provided by such adjacent leg sections 3%, 30. Again, the newel post 14 is of identical configuration.

Referring again to FIGURES 3, 4 and 6 for a description of the top cap 17, it will be seen that the same is preferably of quadrilateral configuration so as to encircle the upper end of the newel post 13 in snug contact with the projecting ends of the series of radiating webs 31 and 32, with this condition of contact being best shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, wherein the internal walls 34 of the cap 17 are shown in contact with the webs 3'1 and 32.

The top of the casting i7 is preferably inclined as at 35 (FIGURE 1) for drainage purposes and the uppermost portion of the newel post will seat against this surface as clearly shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. Additionally, each side surface of the cover cap 17 includes a pair of projecting flanges or cars 36, 37 that are 3 apertured, as at 33 and 39, for the purpose of receiving therethrough a bolt 49, with four such sets of flanges or cars 36 and 37 being provided on the four faces of the cover cap 17.

As previously indicated, the majority of component parts of the assembly may be by extruding the nae with only the cap 17 and floor flange Ill being made by casting or other methods of manufacture.

Accordingly, and to tins end, the top rail 35, shown best in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6, is of generally U-shapcd cross sectional configuration so as to include opposed side Walls 41 and 42 as well as a connecting Wall portion with the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplating that the wall section 43 be curved and also integrally project beyond its point of juncture with opposed walls 4 1 and 42 for the purpose of providing decorative flanges 44 and 45 that also serve to add stitiness to the rail section.

In addition to the aforementioned component parts, return flanges 46 and 47 are provided at projecting ends of the walls l1 and 42, with these flanges as and 1'] having the projecting ends preferably tapered towards each other as clearly shown in the drawings. The flanges 41 and 42, further include intermediate projecting flanges 48 and 49, respectively, with these flanges being designed for coaction with the spindles 19, as will hereinafter be described.

An aperture 50 is shown provided on the wall 22 for coaction with the aligned apertures 33 and 39 previously described and it is to be understood that wall 41 includes another similar aperture disposed in opposed relationship so as to permit interconnection of top rail 15' with cover cap 17 by use of bolt ll).

In like fashion, the lower rail unit 16 is shown in FIG- URES 2, 3 and 7, as being of generally Ell-shaped cross sectional configuration so as to again include opposed wall sections 51 and 52 that are connected by a bottom wall 53. Return flanges 54 and 55 are provided adjacent the ends of the wall sections '1 and 52, while projecting flanges or ribs 56 and 57 are spaced therefrom for coaction with the spindle 19, as will be indicated.

The flanges 54 and 55 are tapered towards each other similar to flanges 46 and 47.

It will be seen, therefore, that the return flanges 4s and 4-7 of top rail and the return flanges 54 and S5 of bottom rail 16 each function in the same manner to serve three separate and distinct purposes. First, each of the same provide a stiffening effect to the rail. Secondly, each of the same permit a point of connection with the spindles and third, each of the same serve as coacting components for reception of the spacer members that Will subsequently be described.

By like token, the intermediate flan es 43, l), 56 and 57 each serve the dual function of connecting the spindle to the rail section and also adding rigidity to the longitudinal dimension of the railing section.

As indicated in FIGURE 7, the exterior surface or the opposed wall sections Ed and 52 are snuggly received between the ribs or flanges 31 and 32, with a bolt 58 being inserted following positioning and drilling of the components during assembly.

In order that the to and bottom rails 15 and 16, respcctively, may present the appearance of a closed assembly, a spacer unit, generally indicated by the numeral and shown best in FIGURES 6' and 7 is provided, with this spacer so being contoured in the form of an elongate strip that has bulbous like longitudinal edges 61 and 62 that are each notched, as at as, for coaction with the tapered ends of the return flanges 46 and d7 or the return flanges 54 and 55. It is believed apparent that the spacer 66 can be preferably used interchangeably with either rail section 15 or 16.

While the spacer 60 serves to close oil the interior of the top or bot-tom rail -15 or 16 as just described, the same also serves another definite and distinct function in con- 4 nection with the invention. Specifically, the exposed end 61:1 thereof (PEGURE 7) serves as a stop for the spindle 19 when the same is positioned as will now be described.

To this end the spindle i9 is shown formed from a thin strip of extruded material that is conventionally twisted for aesthetic purposes into the outline configuration shown in the drawhigs. The opposed ends 7i and 71 of the spindle (FIGURES 1 and 2) are disposed in parallelism with each other and are each further provided with notches that connect with the previously described rib iembers of the top and bottom rails. in this regard, the lower surface 'lll is shown including opposed notches 73, 73 that respectively connect with the return flanges 54 and 55 and the projecting ribs 55 and 57. Similar notches indicated generally by the numerals 75, 75 in FIGURE 2, are provided on the upper surface 7% for coaction with the return flanges as and 47 and the iritermediate ribs 48 and In actual fact, the notches just described are all similar in depth and location with respect to the ends of the spindles 19 so that the spindles may be interchangeably used with either rail 15 or lo.

use or operation of the improved railing assembly, it is preferable to first position the floor support flanges respect to the bowel posts and 14-, respectively. is time the newel posts may be positioned upright as shown, and then located with respect to the floor surface and secured thereto as by drilling the floor surface passing a bolt or other fastening device through the openings 21, Eli. When this has been accomplished and the assembly of newel post and floor flange has been securely anchored, a measurement may be taken between the newel posts, with this measurement being for the position tha the rail 16' will occupy, as shown in FIG- URE 7, Where the same is positioned between flanges 31 and 32. At this time the required length of rail 16 hat is needed to span the distance between the newel posts 13 and M, as just described, may be sawed ed, with the bottom rail l6 then being slidable into place between the opposed ends of ribs and 32 (FEGURE 7).

At this time the caps 17, 1% may be slipped over the ends or" the newel posts 13 and 14-, whereupon a measurement may be taken of the required length of top rail section that is needed, with a shorter length of top rail being required.

Positioning of the top r il in place may be accomplished by telescoping th I l 15 over the projecting cars 36 and 37 (see FlGJR* 3) followed by drilling the rail and connecting the components by bolt 49 and nut At this time all that remains is the positioning of spindies 19 and to this end a spacer so of appropriate length may be first positioned over the open end of rail 16 and then snapped into position between the return flanges and Another spacer of appropriate length is then positioned in like fashion between the return flanges 46 nd 5 of top rail With the initial top and bottom spacers so positioned, a spindle 1.9 may be turned so that small dimension thereof passes between the open end or the top and. bottom rails respectively and when properly aligned a simple 98 degree twist of the spindle 19 will en'cctuate mechanical inte'loclt between t e grooves thereof and the various r'bs or or the top and bottom rail units. The fiat surface of the lower end "fl-l will then sent against the end an; of previously positioncd spacer in rail 16 and a similar abutment will occur between the positioned spacer 6d of upper rail 15 and end "7% of spindle E At this time another set of spacers d3, rill be positioned so as to loci. the spindle in place ag nst turning with respect to the top and bottom rail units. After this another spindle may be similarly positioned and the process repeated until all spindles Fl URE 1.

Preferably, spacers will be of equal length so as to eliminate the need for cutting the same and also, and as previously indicated, it is preferred that the bottom rail 16 not be attached to the newel posts 13 and 14 until after the spindles 19' have been positioned and connected thereto. This permits the bottom rail 16 to, in eFect, float and be self-leveling so as to permit easy interconnection with the end of the spindle.

in cases of installation of ornamental railing on steps or other inclined surfaces, it is preferred that the above procedure be 'foliowed and that the railing be pitched as a unit to the required angle, with only angle cutting of the rail ends being required, since the that ends of the spindles are susceptible to bending with minimal eifort.

It is also to be understood that the sets of ears not used in connection with the cover cap 1'7 can be sawed oil flush with the exterior surface thereof.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a new and improved type of railing assembly that is characterized by the use of an improved newel post, as well as utilization of the top cap for strengthening purposes. it will be seen how the use of the spacers presents a railing that is apparently solid in appearance, vith no inside bolts, rivets or other connecting devices being exposed for possible injury to a user thereof.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordanc with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not int-ended to be so limited.

Accordingly, while the invention has been shown to have particular utility in connection with extruded aluminum parts, it is to be understood and realized that other metals and other forms of manufacture could be employed with similar results.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of" the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ornamental railing assembly of the character described, comprising; a pair of aligned newel posts projectin from a surface in spaced substantially parallel relationship, with each other; a pair of cap members each received on the projecting end of one said post in telescoped relationship therewith; an elongate upper rail having its ends releasably secured to said caps and being movable therewith; an elongate lower rail having its ends secured to said posts and being disposed in substantial parallelism with said upper rail; at least one elongate spindle having its ends releasably interlocked with respect to said upper and lower rails; and spacer means carried by said top and bottom rails and spacing said spindles from each other and from one said post, said spindles retaining said cap members against separation from said newel posts when interlocked with said top and bottom rails; said cap members being separable from said newel posts when said spindles are out of intcrlocsed relationship with said top and bottom rails.

2. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of floor flanges that telescopically re- E5 ceive the ends of said newel posts opposed to said top caps.

3. An ornamental railing assembly of the character described, comprising; a pair of newel posts each including an elongate support member having bifurcated support corners that are arranged so that one leg section of each said bifurcated support corner projects from said post in substantial parallelism with one leg section of the adjacent bifurcated support corner; a pair of newel post supports having projecting support elements that each include parallel support faces adapted to be received between the opposed faces of said parallel leg sections of said bifurcated support corners in supporting engagement therewith; a pair of cap members each having an opening therein adapted to snugly encircle the projecting ends of said bifurcated support corners whereby said caps may be telescoped with respect to said newel posts; elongated top and bottom rails, each of generally U-shaped cross-section and each including opposed leg sections that project towards an open end with said open ends being opposed to each other; first fastening means releasably securing the opposed ends of said top rail to said cap members; second fastening means releasably securing the opposed ends of said bottom rail to said newel posts; a plurality of elongate spindles having their opposed ends flattencd for transverse reception between the opposed leg portions of said top and bottom rail sections; means for interlocking said flattened ends of said spindles with respect to said top and bottom rail sections when said flattened ends thereof are disposed transversely of said open ends of said rail sections; spindle spacing strips spanning said open ends of said top and bottom rails and retaining said spindles in interlocked position therewith; said spindle spacing strips having opposed edges that are releasably engaged with the projecting ends of said opposed leg sections of said top and bottom rails; and cam means defined by the edges of said spindle spacing strips and spreading the projecting ends of said opposed leg sections of said top and bottom rails upon engagement therewith; whereby said spindle spacing strips may be positioned between said leg sections during the period that said spindles are interconnected with said top and bottom rails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN ORNAMENTAL RAILING ASSEMBLY OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING; A PAIR OF ALIGNED NEWEL POSTS PROJECTING FROM A SURFACE IN SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, WITH EACH OTHER; A PAIR OF CAP MEMBERS EACH RECEIVED ON THE PROJECTING END OF ONE SAID POST IN TELESCOPED RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH; AN ELONGATE UPPER RAIL HAVING ITS ENDS RELEASABLY SECURED TO SAID CAPS AND BEING MOVABLE THEREWITH; AN ELONGATE LOWER RAIL HAVING ITS ENDS SECURED TO SAID POSTS AND BEING DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIAL PARALLELISM WITH SAID UPPER RAIL; AT LEAST ONE ELONGATE SPINDLE HAVING ITS ENDS RELEASABLY INTERLOCKED WITH RESPECT TO SAID UPPER AND LOWER RAILS; AND SPACER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS AND SPACING SAID SPINDLES FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM ONE SAID POST, SAID SPINDLES RETAINING SAID CAP MEMBERS AGAINST SEPARATION FROM SAID NEWEL POSTS WHEN INTERLOCKED WITH SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS; SAID CAP MEMBERS BEING SEPARABLE FROM SAID NEWEL POSTS WHEN SAID SPINDLES ARE OUT OF INTERLOCKED RELATIONPOSTS WHEN SAID SPINDLES ARE OUT OF INTERLOCKED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS. 